At the end of May, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced the construction to complete the redesign of McGuinness Boulevard would soon begin. This action reaffirms their promise made on January 3 that the original plan to make McGuinness safer the majority of the community favored would be implemented, instead of the watered-down versions that came later toward the end of Mayor Adams’s administration.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents a promise delivered,” said NYS Assembly Member Emily Gallagher about the May 27 announcement. “For decades, McGuinness has been the site of death and serious injury caused by reckless drivers. Frustration over the inaction of our elected officials is part of what led to my run for office. Our local community here in Greenpoint has fought to make McGuinness safe for decades, and this victory belongs to them. It’s a reminder that when we organize, we win and a government that works for the people is possible.”
The redesign will extend the existing parking-protected bike lanes between Meeker Avenue and Calyer Street northbound to the Pulaski Bridge. Once complete, McGuinness Boulevard will feature one travel lane in each direction, one parking-protected bike lane in each direction, and one curbside parking and loading lane in each direction.
NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “For years, advocates have been fighting to make this corridor safer and prevent more traffic violence. Protected bike lanes, shortened pedestrian crossings, and other traffic calming measures make our streets work better for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and families. These changes will save lives. Today’s victory would not be possible without the tireless work of community members who fought to make their neighborhood safer. Congratulations to the Make McGuinness Safe coalition, I am proud to work alongside you for a safer North Brooklyn.”
In addition to the completion of the yet-to-be safety measures, the NYC DOT beautified and expanded a safety measure already in place. As of June 16, an art mural, completed by Artist Kevin Cincotta, appears on the bike lane barrier and expanded pedestrian space on McGuinness Boulevard and Driggs Avenue at Father Studzinski Square. This project was delivered as part of the redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, which brings safety via the added visibility.
“This public art is a beautiful tribute to Greenpoint’s connection to the waterfront, our history as a marshland, and the Polish community that has shaped our neighborhood,” said NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler. “Thanks to talented muralist Kevin Cincotta and DOT for transforming what was once bare asphalt and concrete into beautiful art that symbolizes our efforts to make McGuinness Boulevard safer for everyone.”
NYC DOT Art, partners with organizations and professional artists to present temporary public art on NYC DOT property throughout the five boroughs for up to eleven months. Since 2008, NYC DOT Art has produced over 550 temporary artworks citywide.
Local artist Kevin Cincotta developed a design where “together, the elements in the mural tell a story of Greenpoint’s past, while remaining optimistically open-ended about its future. It captures the beauty of change in Greenpoint over time, showcasing flora and fauna that once thrived here, when the area was largely marshland, while also paying homage to the Polish community that helped shape the neighborhood into what it is today,” he said. The creation process involved direct engagement with community members at local events to share their thoughts on what should inspire the mural. In one instance of this, Cincotta was seen at the McCarren Park Farmers market, where community members were asked to add post-it notes to a board indicating what they’d want the mural to communicate or what images it could contain.
“Something unexpected happened when the road diet first went in on McGuinness. The boulevard became quieter, more pedestrians lined the sidewalks, and portions of McGuinness suddenly became beautiful,” said Bronwyn Breitner, Make McGuinness Safe coordinator and co-founder. “This exceptional mural from Kevin Cincotta celebrates this new era for Greenpoint while honoring the Polish heritage of our community. It’s a reminder that our neighborhood contains elements, both in nature and amongst ourselves, that are more powerful than any highway.”
For more information on NYC DOT Art, visit nyc.gov/dotart and @nyc_DOTArt on Instagram.
The Greenline 